As much as online shopping has dominated the retail world over the last year, there are more and more people eager to get back out into brick and mortar stores again. Not only is it faster than having to wait several days for your package to arrive, but it’s a more personalized experience that many people prefer over a digital shopping cart. For this reason, more and more people are opening up physical stores again.
However, in order to get your store off the ground, you’ll need to plan an opening event. An opening event lets people know that you’re there, and is an opportunity to mingle with potential customers. If you’re planning a store opening, then here are some of the best tips for making sure that it’s a success.
Promote Online
Promoting your event online is a great way to get the word out about your event without having to invest much into it. Creating an event on Facebook for example is totally free, and easy to do. Above all, it can be an extremely effective way to reach your target audience. Since Facebook allows you to adjust your ideal demographic, and run ads and events accordingly, it can be an extremely effective way to let people know about your grand opening.
Use a Sign
Despite how much online marketing you may do on social media or by email, there’s something to be said about a physical sign or wall decal. Putting up a wall decal announces to passersby that you’ve got an event going on. Although you may have a large digital outreach, not everyone may be aware of your event if they don’t have Facebook or whatever other platform you’ve decided to announce your event on.
Adding a sign gives your grand opening extra punch and a big store feel even if it fits a modest occasion. Make it big, make it visible, and make sure that people on foot and in a car can read it easily.
Ensure You’re Fully Staffed
If you managed to promote your event as well as you hope you will, then you will get a big turn out. For this reason, it’s important that you’re equipped enough to handle the large volume of customers. Make sure that you’re fully staffed So that your customers have a smooth checkout experience. If there’s only you at your event, you can’t expect to greet everyone and check people out at the same time. For this reason, you need to make sure that you have as many hands on deck as possible.
These are just a few tips for a great store opening. The trick isn’t just getting people in the door, but getting them to come back for more. With a big smile on your face and a great product selection, you should create loyal customers who come back again and again.
